Campaign to get teachers vaccinated
A campaign has been launched to get teachers vaccinated before they go back into schools.
Lady Lydia Forester, of Willey Park, in Broseley, is leading a campaign to allow teachers to be vaccinated before schools return, so they can teach and look after children without the fear of getting ill.
Lydia has encouraged her friends, fellow parents, teachers and school staff to send an email to their local MP, as well as the Prime Minister, Health Secretary and Education Secretary.
She has encouraged the MPs to set aside Saturday as a specific day where teachers can go and get their vaccinations.
“The fact is that the Government have said they are prioritising the return of children to education in schools,” Lydia said.
“Schools in England will reopen ‘as soon as possible’, Schools Minister Nick Gibb told the Commons.
“They have already prioritised some occupations for vaccination, quite rightly, such as health care professionals.
"Asking teachers to return to classrooms where they will mix with up to 30 different families and as many or more again if they are on lunchtime duties is clearly putting them at some risk. There have already been deaths among teachers.
“The Government is asking people to work from home where possible, again, quite rightly, but when schools do re-open it will be asking teachers to go back to work. Will all MPs be happy to go back to work and sit in Parliament at the same time?
“The vaccination of all teachers before they return is small thing statistically given the rate at which vaccinations are taking place, but announcing Saturday as Teacher Vaccination Day or TV Day could be a big win for the Government.”
Tom Plim, the headteacher at Highley Community Primary School, said he supports the need for vaccinating teachers.
“There remains a great deal of anxiety about a full return across the profession,” he said.
“This is not just anxiety about keeping ourselves safe, but our families, children in our schools and wider communities.
“With vaccinations, it will be easier to keep sufficient staffing levels so that schools can open to all children and reduce the risk of transmission within our communities.”
The email campaign urges the Prime Minister to give priority to teaching staff so they can feel as safe as possible.
It said: “Dear Prime Minister, please vaccinate our teachers as a matter of urgency.”
